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$64.5K

How much do music professor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for music professor in the United States is $57,500.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,500.00 and $61,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Music Professor vs Music Teacher?

AspectMusic Professor
AspectMusic Teacher

Music Professors typically hold advanced degrees such as a Master's or Doctorate, work at colleges or universities, and focus on higher education and research. Music Teachers often work in K-12 schools, private studios, or community programs, teaching students of all ages. Both roles require strong musical skills and teaching credentials, but Music Professors usually engage in academic research and curriculum development, while Music Teachers focus on foundational skill development. The choice depends on the educational level and work environment you aim for.

What Does a Music Professor Do?

A music professor teaches courses such as vocal and instrumental music, composition, music theory, and performance music to students of all ages. In addition to teaching classes, you may coach students in one-on-one sessions or provide private lessons to students who want to advance their musical abilities. To become a music professor at a community college, you typically need at least a master’s degree in music education or a related field and relevant teaching experience. If you want to teach at the university level, you must have a master’s degree or a doctorate in a music-related subject. Additional qualifications include strong interpersonal and communication skills, extensive knowledge of music-related topics, and the ability to perform music.

What are Music Professors?

Music Professors are educators and scholars who teach music theory, history, performance, and related subjects at colleges, universities, or conservatories. They may also conduct research, direct ensembles, mentor students, and participate in academic committees. Music Professors often have advanced degrees in music and may specialize in areas such as composition, conducting, or a particular instrument. Their responsibilities can include lectures, private lessons, recital preparation, and contributing to the academic community through performances and publications.

What opportunities for research and creative projects are available to Music Professors, and how do these contribute to career advancement?

Music Professors often have access to a range of research and creative project opportunities, such as composing new works, conducting ensembles, publishing scholarly articles, or presenting at conferences. Engaging in these activities not only enhances personal and professional growth but also contributes to the professor’s reputation and eligibility for tenure or promotion. Many institutions encourage collaboration with colleagues and students, fostering a vibrant environment for innovation. Active participation in research and creative endeavors is seen as a key factor in career advancement within academia.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Music Professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Music Professor, you need advanced musical proficiency, a graduate degree (often a doctorate), and expertise in music theory, history, and performance. Familiarity with music notation software, digital audio workstations, and classroom technology is typically required. Strong communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help foster student development and effective instruction. These abilities ensure high-quality teaching, student engagement, and ongoing contributions to academic and artistic communities.
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Music Professor jobs near you

Professor, Vocal Performance

SCAD - Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah, GA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Position Summary
SCAD Savannah is seeking a highly qualified and passionate professor of vocal performance to join its dedicated, award-winning faculty in the School of Film and Acting and help prepare students for rapidly evolving careers across stages, studios, and screens. The ideal candidate will play a key role in shaping a progressive curriculum that develops versatile vocal artists - performers who move fluidly between musical theater, contemporary music, recording, and the ever-expanding landscape of entertainment technology - encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration across SCAD locations and fostering connections with related disciplines such as acting, sound design, film, and emerging media.
The successful candidate will bring meaningful professional experience in the vocal performance industry. They will be passionate about teaching at the college level, where they have the opportunity to motivate students and faculty to think creatively, critically, and innovatively. They should be adept at guiding diverse groups of students through a curriculum that moves from foundational music theory and vocal technique through professional repertoire development and into a capstone showcase experience, with a deep understanding of vocal performance methodologies, industry expectations, and the full range of contexts in which today's working performers must excel.
The ideal candidate brings expert knowledge of the modern performance landscape, with hands-on professional experience across areas such as musical theater, contemporary commercial music, studio recording, cabaret, live concert performance, and emerging media contexts including virtual production and digital platform presence. They will inspire students to develop both the technical command and the authentic artistic voice required to succeed across the full breadth of the industry. A key role will be cultivating versatility, resilience, and professional readiness in students - empowering them to navigate diverse genres and formats with confidence, specificity, and a commitment to vocal health at the center of every artistic choice. The candidate will bring a strong command of repertoire development and audition preparation, guiding students to build a cohesive, deployment-ready professional identity across their book, demos, and performance presentations. Equally important is a grounding in the cultural and historical traditions - from the American musical theater canon to gospel, blues, and contemporary popular music - that continue to shape the voices and stories performers are called upon to inhabit.
The successful candidate will be a forward-thinking educator who thrives in an environment that values collaboration, creative risk-taking, and the development of complete performing artists. SCAD seeks a professor who is ready to make a lasting impact on the future of vocal performance and inspire the next generation of artists to define what vocal performance becomes.
Duties and responsibilities
  • Duties may vary and other duties may be assigned.
    SCAD prepares talented students for creative professions through engaged teaching and learning in a positively oriented university environment. In and out of the classroom, the professor is required to work toward the achievement of this mission.
    The professor is required to fulfill teaching assignments as determined by contact hours and as outlined in the Employment Agreement.
    The professor is required to meet teaching responsibilities and expectations as outlined in the SCAD Faculty Handbook. For example:
    • planning and preparation for teaching;
    • maintaining an active and engaged classroom environment;
    • syllabus design, submission, and approval;
    • holding office hours and midterm grade reviews to provide feedback to students;
    • being available to students outside of regular class hours through extra help sessions, extended learning opportunities, and study (field) trips;
    • conducting course- and program-level assessment.
    The professor is required to meet professional responsibilities and expectations as outlined in the SCAD Faculty Handbook. For example:
    • modeling professionalism;
    • fulfilling grading and academic documentation requirements;
    • recording attendance;
    • following academic policies and regulations;
    • supporting academic assessment and institutional effectiveness efforts.
    The professor must be available to attend on-ground and virtual events upon request or as required, to support the academic department and the university. This participation might include:
    • faculty councils,
    • admission events,
    • curriculum assessment and development,
    • institutional effectiveness and accreditation support,
    • events, exhibitions or other publicity assignments.
    The professor must comply with all university policies.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Terminal degree or its equivalent in vocal pedagogy, vocal performance, or a closely related field
  • Significant professional experience in one or more of the following: musical theater performance, contemporary vocal performance, studio recording, vocal pedagogy, or live concert and cabaret performance
  • Three to five years of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Expertise in sight singing, vocal health, music theory, vocal history, diverse teaching techniques for various vocal styles, brough knowledge of vocal literature.
  • Teaching experience at the collegiate level
  • Academic and professional credentials to teach vocal performance

Work Hours: The university work week is Sunday through Saturday. Most offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. In order to accommodate business needs, employees may be assigned to other work days and/or hours, including weekends and evenings.
ADA Tag: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Special instructions to applicants: Only complete packages will be considered. An unofficial transcript of your highest degree awarded, a cover letter, and a résumé or CV are required.

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